DERBY -- If you only factored heart and desire into the equation, then the Derby High football team would be able to match Ansonia toe-to-toe without a problem Friday night when the longtime rivalry writes its 91st chapter in the Red Raiders' backyard.

The problem is that Derby (4-0) has not defeated the Chargers (4-0) since 2001. To make things even worse, no team has beaten the Chargers in 32 tries and not many teams have even challenged the state's No. 1-ranked team during this span. It's not often that a 4-0 team can go into a game as such a big underdog, but that's the way it's been in recent years for NVL opponents trying to topple Ansonia.

Derby will hope for turnovers, a boost from the home crowd and anything else that will help it beat the team that plays its home games less than five miles away on the other side of Route 8.

"We know how big of a challenge this is," said Derby coach George French, a Red Raider graduate who also played in the rivalry. "They have a great coaching staff, a big offensive line and the best player in the state, who keeps getting better. We know we have to stick to our game plan. We are welcoming the underdog role."

That game plan will center on trying to find a way to do what nobody in the state has been able to do for four years -- stop or even slow down running back Arkeel Newsome. The speedy back, who has committed to UConn, has rushed for 860 yards and scored 15 touchdowns this season while only seeing 2 1/2 total minutes of action in a second half. He has rushed for 7,662 career yards and needs 618 more to break the state record set by former Ansonia star Alex Thomas in 2007.

The Chargers have outscored their opponents 215-40 this season.

"We know we have to come to play," said Derby senior Tyrae Small, who shifts from defensive end and linebacker when not carrying the ball from his running back spot. "We know it's tough to stop (Newsome). He's really shifty and hides behind the line well. Before you know it, he can get by you."

Small and the Red Raiders' defense know how difficult it is to contain Ansonia, which jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter during last year's matchup. Derby's best hope for keeping the game close may come on the right arm and legs of junior quarterback Michael Kreiger. A dual-threat, Kreiger has passed for 919 yards and 10 touchdowns with only two interceptions. He also leads the team with 44 carries for 386 yards.

"We are doing a lot of things well," said Kreiger, who took over the quarterback reins from his older brother, Ray, last season. "We aren't throwing the ball as much as Ray did, but we have a lot of guys that can make plays. We haven't been 4-0 here in a long time. It feels good and the team is pumped up for this game."

It's difficult to argue the Chargers haven't been the best-run football machine in the state the past four years, and nothing has looked different this season. Quarterback Jai'Quan McKnight has directed the Newsome-led offense behind a powerful offensive line that returned four starters from last season. The defense has shown few cracks, and the special teams units are still coming up with big plays.

"It's crazy," said Ansonia senior right tackle Matt Simon. "There's some pressure wanting to keep (the winning streak) going. We just keep working hard. We know teams are going to stack the line and try to keep us from running the ball."

Simon and the line are well aware that Newsome needs only a second to turn a 5-yard gain typical for many backs into a 70-yard scoring run.

"I don't know how he does it sometimes," Simon said of Newsome. "We watch the film and it's amazing. We have some great skill guys, including Jai'Quan."

And if there's any doubt the rivalry has lost any luster, just ask Simon.

"I don't like Derby," Simon said. "Well, I definitely don't like them on any sports field."